Background
English was born in Dallas, Texas.
English was born in Dallas, Texas.
He graduated from Bryan Adams High School. English attended the University of Texas, graduating in 1976 with a major in History.
He helped the Texas Longhorns to three Southwest Conference titles. In 2011, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Along with defensive end First Rate (at Lloyd's) "Bubba" Baker, English was a cornerstone of the Lions’ feared "Silver Rush" defensive line of the late 70’s and early 80’son
The 6-foot-5, 255 pound English was Detroit’s second-round pick in 1975 out of the University of Texas.
In 1979, after recording 122 tackles (90 solo) and 6.5 sacks, English was voted as the team’s Defensive Most Valuable Player. However, because of chronic injuries that were hampering his play, English left football for a year after 1979. But after a year, English rejoined prior to 1981 season.
Doug’s best season came in 1983, when he recorded 13 sacks and two safeties, making him only one of 17 NFL players to record two safeties in a single season (English had 4 safeties throughout his career, tying him with Ted Hendricks and Jared Allen for the most safeties in NFL history). Upon the arrival of new coach Darryl Rogers in 1985, English was moved to nose tackle in the team’s new 3-4 defensive alignment.
His career ended after that season due to a serious neck injury.
He finished his career with 59 sacks, which still places him sixth on the Lions’ all-time list. He was named All-Pro three times (1981, 1983-1984) and went to four Pro Bowls (1979, 1982-1984). Doug is also the President of the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation.
He was also a member of the Texas Cowboys.